Regular practice and training are essential to amateur
radio emergency communications, keeping both equipment and operator skills in top form. In our cover photo for this month's Emergency Communications Special, we feature one such training and practice event.

Ham radio volunteers from two different groups — Mike Welch, W1MNW, of the Lake Monroe Amateur Radio Society (LMARS), on left, and Bart Luscuskie, AI4NF, RACES Radio Officer for Seminole County ARES/RACES
— are working together to provide communications support for a 5k run in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

The portable base station in the middle is Mike's, con- sisting of a 2-meter transceiver, battery, and antenna. The entire unit is self-contained and may be set up anywhere, regardless of the availability of commercial power or a pre- installed antenna.

According to event organizer Peter Meijers, AI4KM (not
pictured), the county ARES/RACES organization's liaison with the Altamonte Springs Police Department, about 1,000 runners take part in the annual run, which is sponsored by the city. He says about 14 hams provide communications support from various points along the 3.2-mile route, most- ly using handhelds and communicating through the LMARS
2-meter repeater.

In our additional photo on this page, Mike is using his handheld along the course as a runner goes by his post. (Cover photo and interior photo by Larry Mulvehill, WB2ZPI)